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AAHomecare commissions oxygen study

WASHINGTON - In response to a "whole host of threats," including the 13-month cap on oxygen reimbursement proposed in President Bush's FY2007 budget, AAHomecare announced in late February that it has commissioned a study to examine the costs associated with delivering home oxygen.
"There's an ongoing need to have clear, credible data that demonstrates everything that goes into oxygen therapy and to educate CMS and Congress on that," said Michael Reinemer, the association's vice president for communications and policy.
AAHomecare contracted Mechanicsburg, Pa.-based Morrison Informatics to conduct the study. Providers had to complete and return the surveys to Morrison by March 10, 2006. AAHomecare expected to release the results of the study in late March or early April, Reinemer said.
Jeff Wills, chairman of AAHomecare's HME/RT Council, added: "Within that ($200) monthly allowable, there's a service element, and this is about defining the underlying costs of those services. It's our responsibility to provide good, reliable data that represents our industry. We can no longer cry about how (reimbursement changes) will prevent us from staying in business."